Argentina's World Cup-winning captain Lionel Messi has spoken about his departure from Paris Saint-Germain.

Messi has decided to join Major League Soccer side Inter Miami, snubbing an opportunity to sign a new deal. He left the Parisians as a two-time Ligue 1 champion scoring 32 goals and providing 35 assists in 75 games across competitions.

Messi, who turned 36 on Saturday, came to Paris severing ties with his 'first love' (Barcelona) in the summer of 2021. "I came to Paris because I liked the club, because I had friends," he told beIn Sports.

"It seemed to me that, beyond what the club was, I was going to have a much easier adaptation than in other teams I could have gone to, so that's a major reason why I decided to go to the club."

However, his time in France was difficult at times. "The truth is that it was a very difficult adaptation, much more than I expected. Apart from the fact that I had people I knew in the dressing room and I had relations with them, it was complicated to adapt. I arrived late, I didn't have a pre-season. I had to adapt to a new city, which was difficult for my family and for me. It was complicated."

And it didn't end as he would have wished as Messi was the target of PSG's ultra fans who booed him in every match, including the last game which the Ligue 1 champions lost 3-2 to Clermont on June 4.

"Suddenly people started to treat me differently. Part of the PSG crowd, the rest and the majority still treated me as they did at the beginning, but there was a break with the fans.

"It also happened with Neymar or Mbappe before. However, I'll keep the memories of all the people who respected me as I've always respected everyone since I arrived," he said.

In another interview with Laureus Sports, Messi was asked what went through his mind after Gonzalo Montiel scored the winning penalty for Argentina against France in the World Cup final at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar on December 18 last year.

“It was the culmination of everything in my career. Getting hold of the only trophy that I was missing,” the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner said.

Despite his strained relations with PSG, the club posted a special birthday video for Messi. His former teammate Kylian Mbappe also wished him. "Happy birthday legend. Wishing you the best day possible with your family and friends. Thank you for these two years together in Paris. I learnt a lot from you as a player, partner, opponent and man. For that alone I am thankful," Mbappe wrote on Instagram.